Good Plane Games?

K1LLSW1TCH · 25 Nov 2009 at 12:03

I'm looking for a game similar to Microsoft Combat Flight Sim, only I want to use more modern planes like F15's, Stealth Bombers and the like. Something that has a campaign mode that you can fly sortie's that have already been set up and also if it has good sound and graphics then that doesn't hurt either.

Any suggestions?

Clum · 25 Nov 2009 at 12:45

You're probably looking at either DCS Lock on modern air combat or Falcon 4.0.

The first is quite a hardcore sim but is brilliant if you're into that. It has some mods around and has an expansion 'flaming cliffs'. The second is an older game, still quite hardcore and has a huge modding community.

My vote goes to lock on if you can stomach the learning curve.

K1LLSW1TCH · 25 Nov 2009 at 12:54

I actually think I might have a copy of Lock On hidden away somewhere. I'm guessing that there haven't really been many of this type of game released for a while? I was thinking of maybe installing Combat Flight Sim 3 and seeing how that stacks up. I loved CFS 2, one of my all time favorite PC games.

Eddie182 · 25 Nov 2009 at 14:22

Jet wise, it depends what you're after. Lock-On might be better for a sim newbie as it's pretty simple (very limited avionics modelling no clickable cockpit etc), but it still has reasonable flight models and ok radar/weapon modelling.

If you want something more hardcore then Falcon 4 is the way to go. Falcon 4:Allied Force is available at retail if you look around, or failing that have a google for Open Falcon and Free Falcon which are the freeware community developed versions. The only thing to bare in mind with Falcon is that it is based on a Sim (albeit highly modded) that was released in 1998 so it will most likely need a bit of tweaking to get the most out of it on a modern system. But it will run perfectly even on W7 x64.

Nate--IRL-- · 25 Nov 2009 at 14:28

Lock On is getting a 2nd major update in the new year, an addon, Flaming Cliffs 2.0 is due for release that will bring the Lock On aircraft into the same Sim world as DCS:- Black Shark and will give multipayer compatibilty between DCS and Lock on.

Copied from the other thread.................

Blurb....
-------------------------------------------------------

THE FIGHTER COLLECTION AND EAGLE DYNAMICS TO RELEASE LOCK ON: FLAMING CLIFFS 2.0 UPGRADE

DUXFORD, UK, November 17, 2009 – The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics will release Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 in early 2010. This will be an upgrade to the unofficial Lock On: Flaming Cliffs add-on. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will feature all the flyable aircraft of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs and include several fan-requested upgrades to aircraft, sensor, and weapon systems. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs combines a large stable of modern U.S. and Russian aircraft to fly over Russia and Georgia with game play for both casual and hardcore flight simulation enthusiasts.

Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will feature the same world environment and game functionality as the Digital Combat Simulation (DCS) series and will be online compatible with the Ka-50 attack helicopter simulation DCS: Black Shark www.digitalcombatsimulator.com. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will allow Lock On pilots and Black Shark pilots to now fly online together in both cooperative and head-to-head online play.

The Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade for owners of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 1.12 will be available for sale as a download from the Eagle Dynamics Lock On web site for $14.99 USD. http://lockon.co.uk/. The upgrade will first be released in English and Russian with French, German, and Spanish versions to follow.

By using the DCS environment, Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 users will have improved terrain, mission editor, AI flight models, 3D objects, artificial intelligence (AI), and multiplayer. The aircraft of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will include:

• Su-25 (new 3D model)
• Su-25T
• A-10A
• Su-27
• Su-33
• MiG-29A
• MiG-29C
• F-15C

Several new missions and campaigns will be included in Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Nate

Nate--IRL-- · 25 Nov 2009 at 14:56

Thirdwire's Series of sims are also worth checking out. While IMO not as polished and detailed as Lock On, they are still worth looking at for Jet combat.

Nate

Clum · 25 Nov 2009 at 15:43

Forgot to mention you could also check out Tom Clancy's HAWX and Heroes over Europe if you're up for something much more arcade like than a proper sim.

Both look good and are nice cheesy arcade fun.

Mr. Anderson · 25 Nov 2009 at 16:56

Not really plane sim or plane specific, but bf2 can be FUN for plane combat.